Valentino in Conversation & California’s Sweatshops

Fashion Icon Valentino Garavani
legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, the founder of his eponymous label Valentino, has been the focus of the latest of Fern Mallis ongoing conversation series, Fashion Icons w/ Fern Mallis at the 92nd Street Y center in Manhattan, coinciding with the release of his new book “Valentino at the Emperor's Table’. Fern Mallis, head of international fashion and design consultancy Fern Mallis LLC, spoke to the venerable designer about a wide range of fashion topics including the genesis of his label and the changing nature of the fashion industry, alongside deeply personal asides, including his dislike of his work during the 1980s.

Sweatshop Conditions in California
A report has found workers in the Californian garment industry are subject to inferior working conditions and low levels of pay. David Weil, administrator of the US Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division characterized a host of workplaces as having “all the features of a sweatshop”. His comments came following a yearlong investigation, that determined more than 1,500 workers were owed over USD $3 million in unpaid wages, with prominent American companies such as Nasty Gal, Macy's, Nordstrom and JC Penney, amongst others, producing garments in the factories concerned. The report has found that the fierce competition in the garment industry has lead to contract shops lowering the price of their services often at the expense of their workers’ wages.

Robbie Williams Farrell Brand
British pop star Robbie Williams has teamed up with low-price high street giant, Primark to resurrect his menswear brand Farrell. The capsule collection will consist of 30 pieces inspired by his grandfather Jack Farrell, and will channel a uniquely English atmosphere with a range of thick tees, cable-knit jumpers, pea coats, smart tweed jackets and slim tailored pants and jeans.